It's that time of year again, or rather, it will be soon. As the days noticeably shorten and the evenings draw in, many of us start to wonder when exactly the clocks will change in the UK. It's a familiar ritual, this shifting of time, and it always seems to catch a few people by surprise.
So, when can you expect to adjust your timepiece? The clocks will roll back by one hour on Sunday, October 26, 2025, at 2:00 AM BST. This marks our transition from British Summer Time (BST) back to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). It means we gain an hour, which, let's be honest, is usually a welcome thought, especially after the 'spring forward' that often feels like losing a precious hour of sleep.
But why do we still bother with this biannual clock change? The idea itself has quite a history, stretching back to Benjamin Franklin in the late 18th century. He playfully suggested that if people simply woke up earlier, they'd make better use of daylight. It wasn't until much later, in the early 20th century, that William Willet really championed the concept in Britain with his pamphlet, 'The Waste of Daylight'. His argument was compelling: by aligning our waking hours more closely with daylight, we'd use less energy for heating and lighting, which, back then, was largely coal-powered. Daylight Saving Time (DST) was officially introduced in the UK during the First World War.
Interestingly, while the 'spring forward' can sometimes be a bit jarring, leading to discussions about its impact on sleep and health, research has actually pointed to some potential benefits after the autumn change. Studies have suggested that the week following the clocks going back is associated with a reduction in demand for NHS services for certain conditions like sleep disorders, cardiovascular issues, anxiety, depression, and psychiatric conditions in England. It seems that the extra hour of sleep and increased morning sunlight exposure might play a role.
Of course, the debate about whether we should continue with DST continues, with some studies (often outside the UK) suggesting negative health effects, particularly from the spring change. However, for now, the familiar rhythm of the clocks changing remains a part of our annual calendar, a signal of the changing seasons and a reminder of a practice with roots stretching back centuries.
